Monthly Archives: February 2013

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BERLIN — With Berlin’s budget season approaching, both town leadership and Berlin Fire Company (BFC) representatives agreed that the dispute between the two agencies over funding might be nearing resolution.

As has been the tradition with the conflict, however, neither side could make any guarantees.

“I certainly hope that we have all that we need so all of this can be considered during our budget process,” said Mayor Gee Williams.

While the BFC was included in the budget last spring, it was only a few months later that the Town Council severed all funding with the company over a number of issues including alleged employee harassment and scheduling disagreements. Company officials have stated that they hope to recover as much of the roughly $600,000 they lost as possible and fear that ongoing funding cuts could negatively impact things like equipment maintenance and training programs.

There are two approaching conditions that might affect the BFC getting on the town’s budget. First, an investigation by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service Systems (MIEMSS) on the handling of an accident scene in late December has yet to yield a judgment.

“The investigation is still in progress and pending,” said BFC President David Fitzgerald.

Secondly, earlier in the winter the council requested private financial information from the BFC. Both the town and company leadership stepped back to let their respective attorneys handle that discussion.

Williams confirmed this week that the information finally seems to be on its way to the council.

“I have no reason to doubt that they’re getting together the information we need,” he said.

Williams said that he hopes some kind of agreement can be reached over funding before the town finishes its annual budget process this spring. The ball is in the company’s court, explained Williams, with delivering that financial data.

“We’re just basically letting them do what they need to do but I think the more timely we get the information the better it is for everybody,” he said.

Though the BFC has been asking since the split began last summer to involve an unbiased, third-party mediator in the dispute, Williams said this week that the council would like to avoid going that far.

“Everybody keeps saying that we have to have a mediator,” he said. “I think that we can work this out without having to have a third-party in it as long as we all take it one step at a time.”

Fitzgerald felt the same and said that it would be “ideal” if the town and company can settle their troubles without needing outside intervention.

But while the BFC hopes to see some funding returned this cycle, Williams has made it no secret that he doubts the council will give back the full $600,000 annual grant that had been the tradition.

This week, the council approved a $300,000 contribution from the general fund to the new stormwater utility every year. With that $300,000 spoken for, Berlin no longer has more than $600,000 excess in the general fund, so to restore the entire grant to the BFC this spring would require shifting monies within the budget or a tax increase.

But while the funding dispute continues, both the company and the council agreed that fire service remains excellent. Last Thursday the BFC responded to a fire at town hall, which was quickly extinguished, prompting the mayor this week to formerly write the organization a letter of thanks and to say that their “differences have nothing to do with the provision of services by the volunteer fire company in its firefighting capacity.”

BERLIN — The debate over a possible repeal of Maryland’s death penalty intensified this week after a key Senate committee passed Gov. Martin O’Malley’s latest attempt to abolish capital punishment. Early in the current session, O’Malley made repealing the death penalty a top priority this year, but gaining the approval of the Senate Judiciary Proceedings committee was considered a major … Continue reading →

OCEAN CITY — A future offshore wind energy farm, proposed as close as 10 miles off the coast of Ocean City, inched closer to reality this week with the anticipated passage by the entire state Senate now the only stumbling block from a legislative standpoint. Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 was passed last Friday by … Continue reading →

BERLIN — Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) visited the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday to give a regular report on the organization’s free youth program. Following the report, a resident voiced concerns that WYFCS “doesn’t have a presence” on the east side of town with the Berlin Youth Club. However, Mayor Gee Williams defended the organization’s efforts and … Continue reading →

BERLIN — A bill introduced in the General Assembly this week would add Maryland to the growing list of states legalizing marijuana, but the measure will not likely see the light of day. Four Baltimore City delegates this week introduced House Bill 1453, which, if approved, would legalize marijuana in Maryland under certain specific conditions. The legislation would remove criminal … Continue reading →

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Mayor and Council considered several issues large and small on their agenda last week. The following is a quick snapshot of some of the issues discussed and approvals granted. Resident Agent Amendment Approved The Mayor and Council last week approved on second reading an amendment to the town’s code that would allow a resident … Continue reading →

SALISBURY – Business items regarding council rules and regulations and false alarm fees returned to the Salisbury City Council this week after being postponed previously for more discussion. When the City Council met in legislative session earlier this month, approvals to amend the Salisbury City Council Regulations and Rules of Order travel policy as well as amend false alarm fees … Continue reading →

BERLIN — The first steps toward stormwater infrastructure improvements in Berlin were taken this week when the Town Council approved just over $200,000 be given to EA Engineering for providing impervious surface data for properties in town as well as for design work on the first four stormwater projects. The lion’s share of that cost, roughly $197,000, is being given … Continue reading →

OCEAN CITY — The planned performing arts center addition to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center has some members of the business community concerned it could have an unfavorable impact if existing bookings decide to go elsewhere. Last weekend the first of two Reach The Beach cheerleading conventions was held at the convention center, and several hotel companies confirmed this … Continue reading →

OCEAN CITY – Councilman Joe Mitrecic is back to business while he is recovering from a heart attack at home and plans to be back in council chambers Monday. Mitrecic was released from the hospital on Wednesday evening after suffering from a heart attack last weekend. The Dispatch spoke with him on Thursday afternoon as he sat in his office … Continue reading →